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TimMetford-8775 avatar image
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TimMetford-8775 asked TimMetford-8775 commented

Location is not available B:\ is not accessible

Dear Friend and Expert.
I use Windows 10 Pro and have an old (circa 2004) Buffalo Technology network attached storage.
My connection to this NAS has always worked seemlessly until I installed Windows 10 on my PC (using the same old hard-wired ethernet LAN).
Since installing Windows 10, I have only been able to obtain a LAN connection with my NAS by enabling the SMB 1.0 check boxes in the "Turn Windows Features On and Off"109459-smb-direct-settings.png dialogue box, accessed via the Programmes and Features link from the Control Panel.
Frequently now, the error message "Location is not available. B:\ is not accessible The specified network name is no longer available." occurs when I try to access my NAS after booting my PC. 109507-smb-wont-connect.png
The only way I've been able to access it is by opening the "Turn Windows Features On and Off" dialogue box, unchecking the SMB boxes, restarting the PC, re-checking the SMB boxes and restarting yet again!
This much works for a while but then the same old error message comes up from Windows Explorer a few boot-ups later!
Oddly, I can ping my server from my PC using the command line even if Windows Explorer has denied access to it! 109594-ping-192168023.png


How do enable access to my NAS more permanently please?
Many Thanks
Tim
Your help will be much appreciated!


windows-10-network
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First check whether you can access the NAS via UNC path directly. This can narrow down whether the issue is related with mapped drive.

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Hi CandyLuo,
I would like to try out your suggestion but I don't understand what "UNC" is, or how to access my NAS via UNC path directly.
Please would you explain.
Thank you.
Tim

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A UNC path is the path to a folder or file on a network and contains the server name or ip address in the path. As an example

\\servername\sharename
\\192.168.1.99\sharename






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CandyLuo-MSFT avatar image
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CandyLuo-MSFT answered

Hi ,

Based on my understanding, you can access SMB share via UNC path(\\IP address\share or \\hostname\share) successfully. But when you access mapped drive, you will occur some problem. Is that right? Please feel free to let me know if I have any misunderstanding.

What's the OS version of your windows 10? 2004 or 20H2?

Please refer to the following steps, Set ProviderFlags as 1 (In your case, you have mapped the NAS to Z, then DriveLetter is Z):

 Path : HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Network\<DriveLetter>
    
 Name : ProviderFlags
    
 Type : REG_DWORD
    
 Value : 1

Then restart windows 10 machine and check if the issue still occurs.

Best Regards,
Candy


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DSPatrick avatar image
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DSPatrick answered TimMetford-8775 commented

A and B drives are generally reserved for floppy drives, might try using another letter designation.

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Hi DSPatrick,
i have mapped the NAS to Z: but this connection didn't last long either, unfortunately! The same error message occurred with this drive as well.
I can access my NAS' administration and control panel easily everytime (whether or not Windows Explorer permits access to it), via the NAS' IP address 192.168.0.23 in my browser.

Thank you.

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TimMetford-8775 avatar image
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TimMetford-8775 answered

Hi DSPatrick,
Thank you for your suggestion, I'd not thought of that! I will try this out.

May I ask, would you recommend that I make any changes to the settings in the "Turn Windows Features On or Off" dialogue box with regard to the Server Message Block (SMB) checkboxes?

For example, should I check the SMB Direct box as well?109623-smb-direct-settings.png





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DSPatrick avatar image
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DSPatrick answered TimMetford-8775 commented

You shouldn't need SMB v1 unless there are Windows XP or older clients in use. There may also be a KB here for setup guidance.
https://www.buffalotech.com/knowledge-base







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I've looked through this article and the various dialogue boxes in my NAS settings boxes and none, so far, have revealed any change in the behaviour of Windows Explorer, but thank you for the suggestion.

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DSPatrick avatar image
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DSPatrick answered

I'd try asking in manufacturer's dedicated forums here for help with the hardware.
https://forums.buffalotech.com/

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--


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TimMetford-8775 avatar image
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TimMetford-8775 answered TimMetford-8775 commented

Hi CandyLuo,
Thank you for your most detailed suggestions.
The OS version of my windows 10 = 2004
I have set ProviderFlags as 1 in the Registry Editor
110161-windows-10-version-2004-providerflags.png



I have re-booted my PC once only so far and my B: drive is perfectly accessible. I will re-boot multiple times to test your kind suggestion.
Thank you.


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You are welcome. Wish you a wonderful day! :)

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The connection to my network attached storage seems perfectly stable now, even after successive re-boots, which is wonderful!!!
Obviously time will tell but this remedy has been the most successful and I can easily repeat it if necessary.
Thank you CandyLuo!

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TimMetford-8775 avatar image
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TimMetford-8775 answered CandyLuo-MSFT commented

Thank you CandyLuo, I'm most grateful for your help!

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You are welcome! :) I am pleased to know that the information is helpful to you. If there is anything else we can do for you, please feel free to post in the forum.

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